Cushion

ABSTRACT

A cushion comprises a metal plate and a container. The metal plate includes a plurality of positioning members projecting from a periphery thereof. The container includes an upper piece and a lower piece that together define an interior space therebetween. An inlet is defined in the lower piece, allowing filling of liquid into the interior space. The positioning members extend into the interior space of the container and are integrally formed with the container such that the positioning members are fixed to the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a cushion providing heatexchange between the user and the liquid contained in the cushion.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] It is common to use air conditioners, heating devices, etc toadjust the temperature suitable to the user. A simple cushion has beenproposed to replace the conventional appliances that consumeconsiderable electricity. The cushion is filled with hot or cold waterto provide heat exchange between the user and the water contained in thecushion. Taiwan Utility Model Application No. 82213293 discloses animproved cushion comprising upper and lower waterproof rubber piecesthat are seamed together by high frequency waves along four edgesthereof. Meanwhile, high frequency wave molds are provided to form twofluid receiving systems in the cushion. The fluid receiving systems areisolated from each other. After filling of water into the cushionthrough two separate inlets of the cushion, plugs are provided to sealthe cushion. The user may lie down on the cushion filled with water.However, the user could not immediately benefit the heat exchangeprovided by the hot or cold water, as the heat exchange rate is low.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is a primary object of the present invention to provide acushion providing rapid heat exchange between the user and the liquidcontained in the cushion.

[0006] A cushion in accordance with the present invention comprises ametal plate and a container. The metal plate includes a plurality ofpositioning members projecting from a periphery thereof. The containerincludes an upper piece and a lower piece that together define aninterior space therebetween. An inlet is defined in the lower piece,allowing filling of liquid into the interior space. The positioningmembers extend into the interior space of the container and areintegrally formed with the container such that the positioning membersare fixed to the container.

[0007] Since the positioning members of the metal plate extends into thecontainer and since the metal plate is made of a material having a highconductivity. Heat exchange occurs rapidly between the liquid in thecontainer and the user when the user lies down or sits on the cushion.Further, since the metal plate includes several rows of through-holesthat are communicated with the air channels defined in the upper pieceof the container. A ventilation effect is provided, which also aids inthe heat exchange between the liquid and the user.

[0008] Other objects, specific advantages, and novel features of theinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription and preferable embodiments when taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cushion in accordancewith the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the cushion in accordance with thepresent invention.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a side view of a valve of the cushion in accordance withthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] A preferred embodiment in accordance with the present inventionwill now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cushion in accordance with thepresent invention generally includes a metal plate 1 and a container 2.The metal plate 1 is a plate 10 made of copper, silver, etc having anexcellent thermal conductivity. A plurality of rows of through-holes 11are provided in the metal plate 1 for ventilation purpose. A pluralityof positioning members 12 project from a periphery of the metal plate 1.

[0014] The container 2 may be of a conventional design consisting of anupper waterproof rubber piece and a lower waterproof rubber piece thatare seamed together by high frequency waves along four edges thereof.Alternately, the container 2 includes an upper piece 21 and a lowerpiece 22 that are seamed together in a mold by high frequency waves.Before applying the high frequency waves, the metal plate 1 is placed inthe mold with the positioning members 12 extending into an interiorspace between the upper piece 21 and the lower piece 22 (see FIG. 2).Thus, the metal plate 1 is integrally formed with the container 2.

[0015] The upper piece 21 includes a plurality of parallel ribs 211,thereby defining air channels 212 between the ribs 211 and outside thetwo outermost ribs 211. The air channels 212 of the upper piece 21 arecommunicated with the through-holes 11 of the metal plate 1.

[0016] The lower piece 22 includes an inlet 221 and a valve 222 mountedto the inlet 221, allowing filling of fluid into the interior spacebetween the upper piece 21 and the lower piece 22. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the valve 222 includes a tube 223 having an opening 225 thatprovides communication between outside and the interior space of thecontainer 2. Liquid L having a high conductivity coefficient (such aswater) may be filled into the interior space of the container 2 throughthe opening 225. The valve 222 further includes a one-way diaphragm 226for preventing the liquid L from flowing out of the container 2 and aplug 224 for plugging the opening 225 of the valve 222 after filling ofliquid L.

[0017] Since the positioning members 12 of the metal plate 1 extendsinto the container 2 and since the metal plate 1 is made of a materialhaving a high conductivity, heat exchange occurs rapidly between theliquid L in the container 2 and the user when the user lies down or sitson the cushion. Further, since the metal plate 1 includes several rowsof through-holes 11 that are communicated with the air channels 212defined in the upper piece 21 of the container 2, a ventilation effectis provided, which also aids in the heat exchange between the liquid Land the user.

[0018] Although the invention has been explained in relation to itspreferred embodiment as mentioned above, it is to be understood thatmany other possible modifications and variations can be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. It is, therefore,contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications andvariations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cushion comprising a metal plate and acontainer, the metal plate including a plurality of positioning membersprojecting from a periphery thereof, the container including an upperpiece and a lower piece that together define an interior spacetherebetween, an inlet being defined in the lower piece, allowingfilling of liquid into the interior space, the positioning membersextending into the interior space of the container and being integrallyformed with the container such that the positioning members are fixed tothe container.
 2. The cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metalplate includes a plurality of rows of through-holes.
 3. The cushion asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the upper piece includes a plurality ofribs, thereby defining a plurality of air channels between the ribs andoutside two outermost ones of the ribs.
 4. The cushion as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the upper piece includes a plurality of ribs, therebydefining a plurality of air channels between the ribs and outside twooutermost ones of the ribs.